Short Course: The Polar Ice Caps and Climate of Mars

8:15 A.M. Coffee

8:45 A.M. - 12:30 P.M. Short Course (informal lunch provided for all attendees)

Salvatori Seminar Room, South Mudd Building - California Institute of Technology

All interested researchers and students are invited to attend. No registration is required for the short course. Seating is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis.

Speakers:

·         "Overview of Mars' Polar Caps and Present-day Conditions" - Prof. Shane Byrne, University of Arizona

·         "Polar Stratigraphy" - Dr. Patricio Becerra, Universität Bern

·         "Amazonian Climate Modeling" - Dr. Melinda Kahre, NASA Ames

·         "Terrestrial Ice Sheets in Climate Studies" - Prof. Christine Hvidberg, Univ. of Copenhagen

Abstract:

Earth's climate is governed by a complex system of intricate feedback mechanisms.  On Mars, we have the opportunity to understand the climate system of a simplified terrestrial planet without the complicating effects of oceans, vegetation and human activity.  Mars' layered polar ice deposits show variations in ice and dust accumulation, possibly representing a detailed climate record – if only we could read it.  In this short course, we explore what information may be recorded in these icy layers, and their links to martian climate models.  Much information about Earth's climate has been gleaned from analysis of cores of similar ice sheets and we will also discuss these techniques and their potential application to Mars.

For more information see: http://kiss.caltech.edu/short_courses/polar.html